DETROIT —In October, the Detroit Police Commission authorized the Detroit Police Department to take possession of a 1970 Bell military helicopter at no cost to the city through a federal grant.

The converted ex-military chopper arrived at Detroit City Airport in December but since that time has done little more than collect dust.

Although already in the city's custody, City Council hasn't formally authorized acceptance of the chopper. On Tuesday the council said it will reject acceptance until it gets the cost and other information it has requested from the police department.

"We were told that the police foundation would take care of the cost of the maintenance,” Council Pro Tem Gary Brown said. “We asked the foundation to produce a document stating that they were going to be responsible for maintenance costs and to date we have not received any such letter or confirmation…

“We have a helicopter in our inventory that this body still has not approved receiving. We still don't know how it will be maintained or if there's a pilot that can even fly it.”

The Detroit Police Department has been applying to receive a decommissioned helicopter from the U.S. government for years, according to Detroit Police Inspector Don Johnson Jr., who made a pitch to accept the chopper last fall.

Although the helicopter itself comes free of charge from the Military Support to Civil Authorities,
which distributes unused military vehicles and equipment to law
enforcement agencies, it will end up costing taxpayers nearly $562,000 extra over the first three years of service — unless someone else steps up to bear the burden.

The city currently has a deal with state police in which Detroit police pilots fly state police helicopters. The department only pays for the fuel cost. State police pick up the tab for maintenance, repairs and insurance in exchange for use of the city hangar.

In order for the city to employ its own helicopter, it's expected to cost $40,000 per year for insurance; about $30,000 per
year in fuel costs; $60,000 per year for an aviation mechanic; and
$172,000 for a planned rotor and engine overhaul, Johnson
Jr. told the Detroit Police Commission in October.

The Detroit Police Commission approved acceptance of the helicopter
unanimously in October and department heads said a portion of the
helicopter fuel costs will be offset with an annual $18,000 grant.

When asked why the department, already tight on cash, would take on
such an expensive asset, Police Commission President Jerome Warfield Sr.
said the costs would be "fully vetted" before final approval by City
Council.

And that's where it stands now.

“This has been in committee for a long time,” said Council member Brenda Jones Tuesday. “There have been a lot of questions that haven't been answered. We cannot manage to get responses... We recommended denial because we cannot get answers to the questions that have been asked."

Now that the department has accepted the helicopter, the department must utilize it per the federal grant agreement. It may not be
sold, stockpiled for future use, used as collateral for a loan, leased
or exchanged.

There was some hesitancy on the part of the department when it was first authorized to take possession of the helicopter.

The Detroit Authorized Towing Association offered to tow the chopper to Detroit from Delaware at no cost to the city, a value of about $5,000.

"It was a 3-month process," said Detroit Authorized Towing Association Spokeswoman Peggy K. Goodwin. "They were kind of dragging their heels... 'Do we need it," yada yada,' but when they got the go-ahead then they came up with the insurance issues."

She said the offer for free transport was nearly retracted by Detroit native Barry Foster, 32, owner of LIJBS Towing Company in Detroit, because of the complications and delays.

Detroit Police Sgt. Eren Stephens said it hasn't been decided if the Detroit chopper would replace the current agreement with state police or if it would provide additional service.

The Detroit Police Department currently employs two pilots who fly daily operations.Related: